Penalty Kick

Anti-Gay Tweet About Gareth Thomas Costs UK Footballer Lee Steele His Job

British footballer Lee Steele must’ve thought he was being funny when he tweeted about out rugby star Gareth Thomas.

“I wouldn’t fancy the bed next to Gareth Thomas. #padlock my a**e,” the Oxford City player  posted about Thomas, who’s currently starring in the UK edition of Celebrity Big Brother.

In the end, though, his comment cost him his job.

A spokesman for Steele’s team told the press: “The Oxford City board have decided to release Lee Steele in view of his recent comment via social media which is considered seriously contrary to the ethos of the club.”

Mike Ford, manager of the Southern Premier League club, said: “On this occasion Lee’s had to pay for his error of judgement… He’s made a homophobic comment, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s homophobic.”

Um yeah, Mike, it kinda does.

But does the punishment fit the crime here? When Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny tweeted that another player looked like a rapist, he just had to apologize.

We’d like to think Thomas and Steele could settle this privately. (Seriously, have you seen Thomas? He could crush Steele’s head without working up a sweat.)

What do you think—just desserts or overkill? Kick it around in the comments.

Photos: Oxford City Football Club, Code13 Rugby League

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